I'm a sessional instructor at the Augustana Campus of the University of Alberta and am participating in Spirit of the Land as a digital liaison for the class.
Greetings to those from far and wide who check into this digital space or remain subscribed to the blog. You are here for a reason! The spirit of the land continues to resonate with you. Thank you for sticking with us.
I hope you’re able to join us in person or via #ds106radio (http://ds106rad.io/listen/) for the Prairie Peace Convergence on February 27th.
This innovative gathering hopes to bring to light the places in our community that cry for justice, as well as the places where we see reconciliation growing. This work is diverse and it calls for passionate people who are dedicated to the people and places they serve. I can think of no better group of people to invite.
This will be an eclectic group, as you can imagine. It will draw from our First Nations neighbours of Maskwacis, to our settler neighbours who dedicate their lives to growing our food. It will include those who imagine a different type of education and those who have been excluded from traditional educational spaces but hold the rich knowledge of life experience. It will be a space to meet across divides and imagine what transformation can look like when all are included.
If you’re interested, please stop on by or be in touch with Carmelle Mohr carmelle@ualberta.ca (just so we know to look out for you).
I thought that for my blog post contribution to this page I would write about something that I have noticed during our lectures that speaks personally to me. I would like to openly bring this forward, or at least in the hopes that some of you will try to understand where I am coming from and not immediately think negatively of me. In class, I often hear the terms “conventional farm” and “industrial farm” being used in a synonymous way. Are they intentionally being used synonymously? They are both being discussed with negative connotation and disapproval surrounding them. Speaking of “organic farms” is, for the most part, done in a highly positive and encouraging way. This brings me to my topic: Is there just industrial and organic farms? Are there really only two sides? One being good and the other bad? Or is it more of a spectrum, where there are a variety of farms, not just the two types. Why is a farm that isn’t organic immediately perceived to be “bad”? Many people do not know this but I live on a dairy farm. We are not organic farmers. To make matters worse, we milk almost 500 cows three times a day so some may even consider us an industrial farm. Does this make us wrong? I certainly do not think so. I am also certain that we do not classify as an industrial farm. So where do we fit in? Personally, I believe that there is a spectrum. A spectrum that does not necessarily have organic as the absolute “best” and industrial as the absolute “worst”. I really think that where a farm lies on this so-called spectrum depends entirely on the farmer and his or her contributions to the community and environmental sustainability. Of course there are massive industrial farms that are in no way near the good side of the spectrum, but I am also sure that there must be organic farms out there that are closer to the bad side than the good. As a parallel to this there is a second ‘quick assumption’ that I have observed. That is that a ‘small scale’ farm versus a ‘big scale’ farm is also perceived in a very black and white notion. I seriously question that. To explain my point: does growing up in a family of 10 really make you worse off than a family of 2? Or does it have more to do with how capable the parents are in handling their family? I think having a variety is very important in our society, for without it we would not know the difference between a good and a bad farm. It allows us to see what worked for others and what didn’t. Not only can we learn from our own mistakes alone, but we can also learn from the mistakes of others. Without variety, there is no evolution. So, it really depends on the situation. Take my family farm for example. A lot of people who are coming to our farm for the first time have many misconceptions about farming, mainly due to things they hear on the news or have read on some sort of social media. Once they come tour the farm however, they all come out very impressed with an entirely different view on farming. The people in my family are extremely hard workers. There are days I do not even see my dad. Him and my uncle put their entire life into this farm; this farm is their entire life. They are constantly open to trying new things to improve the farm and allow it to grow. Yes, there are many mistakes that have been made but that is how people learn. They did not leave a single stone unturned in making sure it is a safe place to work, cow comfort is priority and they have highly invested in innovative environmentally friendly solutions for water and manure recycling. On top of that they closely watch the quality of the soil that they use for growing crops so their land will stay good for generations to come. Does them trying to grow and expand the farm start turning it into an “industrial farm” simply because it is quite large? Once again, I certainly do not think so. To assume so is very black and white, simplistic and unjust. Part of the process of ‘making peace with the land’ comes from working together and learning from each other in respect and mutual understanding. There is absolutely no need for organic and conventional farmers and their customers to be enemies. My family does not see organic farmers as enemies, because they feel that every farmer should be able to work according to their own values. All together they contribute in a unique way to create a safe and steady food supply for consumers. Just because the farm is bigger than it was 10 years ago, doesn’t mean my dad and uncle are any less involved in it or any less personal with the health of each animal, or any less concerned with making sure the feed quality is as impeccable as possible. Without growth, there is no progress. Progress is impossible without change. With that, I conclude that I believe that there are more than just two sides and that the “kind” of farm that is falls under should not automatically label it as “good” or “bad”.
When it comes to the oil and gas industry, it’s so easy to point fingers, but, whether we like it or not, participate in the oil and gas industry daily. By turning on a light switch, we are participating. By having the convenience of running tap water, we are participating. What is difficult is having an open conversation about the topic. Often that conversation, which we think is an open conversation, turns into a heated argument because there is defensiveness on one side and finger pointing on the other. How can we minimize these effects? How can we be open to hearing people’s sides of the story? How can we be part of a positive relationship between what seems to be like oil and water: a relationship between environment and industry? It’s hard to get passed the negative stigma that is already engrained in our brains. It’s hard to, instead of judging and becoming frustrated, simply listening to what the other person has to say. Creating a level playing field is difficult. On watersoftenerguide.com you can learn more about how you can protect yourself from the realities of water these days.
I’m looking forward to the conference because it creates a space for open conversation with people coming from all different types of work fields and stages in life. It sets up an even playing field for discussion on how we begin to make change.
This weekend a gathering was held in Camrose and we’d really like to share the generative energy that came from that evening with all of you who frequent this blog! Knowing that others are working in solidarity can be a source of great inspiration and hope. I especially wish to send this out to the Unceded Coast Salish territory.
We began our gathering at Rathnavalu’s with nearly 45 people maneuvering into an infinity loop through the house and around the bountiful table of pot luck goodies. For those of you who have not spent time considering the bureaucracy of the food safety system, having a pot luck is one of the revolutionary acts that we can all partake in! It’s a chance to bring to our plates foods made from so many loving hands. What a gift to share in the work of so many!
We got into the spirit of the land by sharing where our spirits have connected and grounded in spaces all around the world. Here’s the images that my hand could frantically capture…
oceans – beaver trails – headwaters – family farms – game trails – I hug trees – aspen woods – cathedral forest – beaver dams – creek – where I live – critters moving – silence of the coulee – you can hear the dinosaurs – donalda – kootney plains – summers with grandparents in forested land – where i can feel the wind – queeen charlotte islands – I like to look for dead trees – everywhere blew by frontier – my garden – stony creek – read by summer light – california coast – whales pouting while breastfeeding my son – mirror lake – the wind in the aspen leaves – ocean meets the rocks – salt in the air – secret beach – half moon silica sand – smelling cedar and sea air – moose lake – outside and walk – rolling hills – bow river – sunflowers and bears – it has changed but still feels like home – manage the earth – use the wind and the sun – skiing to the research station – mythic status – climbing trees – looking at sunsets – rollyview – chickens and fresh eggs – and lambs and goats – the stars – trail system – choke cherries – mountains – just every part of it…
“You don’t have to be great to do great things” said one of our readings. And this was a small gathering of great people. What is the blue dot movement? Check out this video:
We can affect the future. This much we know. Imagine if the sacred spaces that sustain our life and spirit were protected within the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This is the impetus behind the Blue Dot movement – to have our municipalities, provinces and our nation recognize it’s citizen’s RIGHT to live in a healthy environment with clean air, water, soil and food. Just like we have the right to vote.
As David Suzuki says, “things are only impossible until someone decides they’re not.”
To learn more about ecology and the Charter of Rights, we watched a presentation by David Boyd, one of Canada’s leading environmental lawyers and the author of several books on the subject. Please contact us if you’d like a link to his presentation.
A quick break-out session allowed us to ask each other why we were out on a cool February night. My own answer is community. There are crisis in the works, as always there were and ever there will be. They will always come to pass. The only way we will weather all the storms of life is with community to help one another. The community we are building around Spirit of the Land or Blue Dot or local economy or anything else of consequence, reminds us that there are others who are willing to help, to hold space and spirit, to bring ideas and food. If climate predictions come to pass, I want to know everyone in that room by name. I want to know anyone who is reading this post by name, so we can achieve together what we cannot do alone.
Community doesn’t happen with polarization. It happens with compassion and understanding, and as we sit in story with one another, we come to see that we all care for our world. We all love our children and grandchildren. We all want a future for our species. Some people have spent their life’s work in service of systems that we have now identified as problems for these hopes. This is devastating. I even feel bad when I slightly offend someone if I have acted or spoke without full knowledge. Imagine spending your entire life acting in a way that you never considered destructive. The guilt and shame that comes from changing our lives is not to be overlooked. Those who have done it are brave souls, but we must remember that those who have not are simply human. Change can be a very frightening thing indeed. We must move forward together, with hearts held in care. Our obstacles are the very place of beginning.
Just an idea…..
So here are a few of the ideas that did get captured in our gathering, but many were not. And if you have an idea, please send it along to spiritoftheland1 at gmail dot com (I wrote it this way to keep the spammers away!)
Just as the women’s safety audit occured in Camrose recently, we could come up with an environmental audit that would involve all citizens in going around their neighbourhood. Count trees, check pollution sources, where’s the water? where’s the wildlife? This information could go to the city along with a petition for a declaration of the Blue Dot variety.
Use Community Service-Learning students from Augustana to assist with above or with other initiatives
Involve the Stoney Creek center
Involve and synthesize the work of the many outdoor clubs in town, like the ski clubs, bird clubs, hiking clubs and other lovers of the natural world.
Remember – grandparents will vote for the future of their children! Speak to kids about influencing their grandparents on how we use their future home.
Finally, we went around the circle just blurting out thoughts. Again, if you have further thoughts post them in the comments below or email us!
hope and what is positive – focus – education – talk to a friend – conversation – example – everyone’s ideas count – networking – t-shirts, buttons – petition public – conversation from industry – pembina institute – relationship between the worst and best… we must be honest with the worst in order to reach the best… be unafraid of the worst because then we can have belief in the best capacity as human beings – pressure from the ground up – reach out and bring people to the next gathering – expand our capacity – offer hope to other…
And this is what I hope, dear friends both near and far. That this small gathering of great people in Camrose can offer you hope where you live. There are others out there who send you love, hope and solidarity for the work you do in the place you love.
Please use this space to share your work! This blog is followed by people in Camrose, Comox, Vancouver, Victoria, Terrace and who knows where else! Feed the network with hope and stories of your work. Together, who knows what we may be able to do.
I hope you are keeping well and warm amidst the winter skies and fondant-covered fields.
Two things to share with you. First, an invitation to gather one final time before the change in semester and year (please extend to others – all are welcome!). Second, an update-of-sorts on conversations and reflections that have occurred in the last few weeks.
Potluck Gathering: Food and Thought and Folks!
Join us Wednesday, December 10 to share good food, good thought with good peoples.
Where: 3712 58th Street
When: 5pm
What to bring: ‘Tis a potluck-shindig. If you can bring edibles/drinkables to share, great!If not, great! All are welcome. Come as you are and able. Why: To share further reflections about Spirit of the Land, deepen our thinking together, and “heart”-storm for the coming seasons. (Exciting developments! Possibilities for a winter series, a Fall 2015 course, next year’s conference, support from Dean’s office, landed-learning, and more!)
If you are unable to attend, feel welcome to pass along words we can read aloud to the group and we’ll be sure to share the gathering’s unfoldings with you.
Reflections from the last few weeks…
Over the last few weeks, I’ve thought together with many of you, and others. Like our gathering on Wednesday, fostering space to hear as many hopes and concerns as we can is, to me, integral to our continual and proper stewardship of this “spirit.” I’ll update you as best and briefly(?) as I can.Don, Takota and I visited on Sunrise Farm. The conversations that occur while caring for the land or others… seem to discover truth more easily. Don and Takota are both so articulate and I think this is very much the result of when a person and land are kin. Their affirmation of this “work” we do, therefore, seems particularly significant.While living in Peru, a Cree word arose within me: Witaske’win, which means “living together on the land.” Today as we look forward in remembrance of the past, may this word be our guide. I feel we are entering a time when the plural peoples who call this land home not only musttake more seriously the word Witaske’win as a call to action, but are nearly ready to… My greatest hope is that we do not change our ways of life because we fear what may be, not merely for survival, but rather, because we love what is. As Don and I drove by the old community hall and church, the emptiness of the plains was more deafening than ever before. Even in this silence though, Don hopes for the day when the land is people-ed again. With Petra Cegielny, Augustana’s Aboriginal Student Advisor, I shared my hopes for the relationship between Maskacis and Camrose – as two schools, two communities and two stories. She felt it was time to take this next step. Dean Allen enthusiastically shared about the 3-11 structure he hopes for at Augustana. In many ways, he is advocating for meaningful education experiences for students and professors and community members. (As Takota and Don imagined – what if every student began their 3-11 semester with a Permaculture course!) For many years, I have been striving to foster a conversation about inclusive land-based campuses as the further embodiment of our values at Augustana. Dean Allen met this idea with keen interest and passion. In the meantime, I asked that courses such as Roadscholars and last year’s Spirit of the Land course be better supported. So many students and Camrosians have shared about the importance of being in community with each other. Dittmar, Raj, Dean Allen and I also thought together about how the Dean’s office might support S.o.L. financially and about S.o.L. as a second branch of the Ronning Centre. There many other people with whom I have shared time. Thank you – these are moments that have deepened our collective bonds of trust, strength and friendship. This spiritual and cultural renewal is certainly the place from which ecological transformation occurs.
November 2015 Conference: Peace with the Land
Dittmar, Raj, Leslie and I have begun imagining next year’s conference. On Wednesday, we look forward to shaping this further with you, as well as brainstorming and committing ourselves to the actions of which the conference is the celebration.
Timeframe: Friday evening – Sunday noon
Keynote Speakers: Norman Wirzba, Leanne Betasamosake, Charles Eisenstein
Treaty 6 Panel: 8 local people who collectively represent conventional and sustainable agriculture, industry and landowners and government, First Nations and settlers, academy and citizenry, urban and rural, children and elders.
Focus: Table conversations. A few guest speakers is important to provide a new depth from which our dialogues can occur. However, the round table discussions are the essence of our conferences. I envision our next conference grants more significance here. Our extractive/capitalist system has set voices like these 8 in opposition to each other. When we hear each of them though, it becomes ever-clear that we are all indeed caught in this system, yet we all care deeply.
Saturday Evening Art-full Celebration: Spoken word, traditional dance, musical performances, art gallery, etc!
Smudge Ceremony and Prayer: Friday afternoon, and daily morning prayer with Sylvia McAdam, Elder Roy Louis, Linda Gervais, Craig Wentland
Norman Wirzba because he profoundly and plainly articulates a Wendell Berry-Agrarianism as alternative.
Leanne Simpson because she does not permit the severity of our present reality to be diluted for any sake. Rather she names the extent to which people and land suffer and… calls us into it. Like Sylvia, she would push us. But we need that. For the integrity of this work. Although she may not hold the same ethos of inner transformation and collectivity which found S.o.L., I feel that if we name and create this ethos throughout the conference, her voice will be heard.
Charles Eisenstein because he holds the spirit and breadth of knowledge on this subject, perhaps unparalleled.
When all are gathered and heard, the commonality that binds us is revealed: that we all care deeply and all belong to this great commonplace. And thus… our diversities and sufferings become our capacity to bring about the world we all wish for.
May this Christmas season remind us to see each other, the land, and ourselves as whole. To recognize the great loving source that flows through all.
The Chester Ronning Center will welcome Rev. Dr. John Chryssavgis on October 30th to reconnect faith and stewardship.
When I returned from the Augustana in Cuba program (some years ago now!), I decided to take a course on Justice Theology with Jack Washenfelder. I wanted to maintain my connection to Latin America and continue to work through the feelings of remorse for the plagues of politics that scarred that social landscape. I was surprised when the bulk of the class was spent on Eco-Theology, but have since come to see it as one of the great crisis of faith in our time. Knowing how many people in the world are deeply moved by faith institutions, I was heartened when I came to understand how deeply ecological concerns are embedded in the Christian texts of my childhood. While I had spent years first dreaming of heaven and then shunning all such thoughts, I finally came to some spaces of reconciliation with the texts I grew up with.
This window into connection with the Earth as a sacred gift has helped me engage with Christian and non-Christian alike on the imperative of ethical treatment of the natural world. I anticipate a lively discussion that will prepare me for the upcoming conference.
This was one of the first videos I watched describing the emerging economy. I was struck by the diverse coverage of the multiple points of the economy that is in the process of shifting. Also, the “powers that be” approaching different global accounting methods.
To learn more about ecology and the Charter of Rights, we watched a presentation by 
